It is well known that glaciers all over the world are melting. Year round ski areas in Europe are having many problems in maintaining skiable slopes. Lift towers are losing their footing. They have to be protected with white plastic covers to shield them from the heat of the sun. In the summer, the glaciers are now blank ice. Skiing on ice is not much fun, so the operators are grinding up the ice in order to get a softer surface to ski on, but this of course accelerates the melting of the glacier.

If somebody really wants to go skiing during our summer months, they should fly to South America, Australia or New Zealand where there is natural snow during our summer.

I predict that if the Jumbo Glacier area is developed for skiing it will not survive many years. The glacier and surroundings will be left with environmental decimation and deserted lifts and buildings.

I am attaching a picture taken early September 2011 at the Dachstein Ski area in Austria, to show what can be expected in the Jumbo area. Dachstein Ski area is at about 2,700m elevation.  At least on the Dachstein there are no grizzlies to be displaced!

Why anybody would like to invest their money in this project is hard to understand.

Ferdl Taxbock

Calgary